• Module 1: EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF GLOMERULOSCLEROSIS

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Children of all ages and adults, including pregnant women, and impaired subjects, all with kidney disease. For pathogenetic studies, we will also include healthy volunteers, including children greater than 12 yrs of age and adults.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

None

Module 2: RESEARCH RENAL BIOPSY

1. Clinically-indicated renal biopsy, with use of a portion of a second biopsy core for research.

   INCLUSION CRITERIA:

   All adults or children with past renal biopsy which demonstrated a glomerulosclerotic disease or in all adults or children without prior renal biopsy and clinical suspicion of glomerulosclerotic disease.

   EXCLUSION CRITERIA;

   Pregnant women.

2. Clinically-indicated renal biopsy, obtaining a third biopsy core for research purposes.

   INCLUSION CRITERIA:

   All adults with past renal biopsy which demonstrated a glomerulosclerotic disease or in all adult patients without prior renal biopsy and high pre-test likelihood of a glomerulosclerotic disease.

   EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

   Pregnant women, patients with a single kidney, impaired subjects, and children less than 18 yr.

3. Research renal biopsy, performed largely or exclusively for research purposes.

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Adults with collapsing glomerulopathy.

EXCLUSION CRITERIAN:

Pregnant women, patients with a single kidney, impaired subjects, and children less than 18 yr.

Module 3: RENAL FUNCTION AND STRUCTURE IN LEAN, OVERWEIGHT, AND OBESE YOUNG ADULTS

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Young adults aged 18 to 21, including lean young adults with BMI less than 25 kg/m2 and obese young adults with BMI greater than 30 kg/m2. Participants with a history of hyperlipidemias or high fasting glucose will still be eligible for the study as these co-morbidities are often consequence of being obese.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Young adults with proteinuria (random urine protein to creatinine ratio greater than 0.2, microalbuminuria (spot urine albumin to cretinine ratio greater than 20 mg/g), creatinine clearance less than 80 mL/min/1.73m2, chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure (systolic blood pressure greater than 140 and diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 on 3 blood pressure readings obtained at least one week apart), diabetes, and pregnant women.